The Esplanade on Boston's Charles River will explode with color and sound once again for the city's 36th annual Fourth of July extravaganza. Neil Diamond of "Sweet Caroline" fame, a singer near and dear to the hearts of Red Sox fans, is this year's featured musical performer. Maestro Keith Lockhart and The Boston Pops will also be on hand, with CBS late night host Craig Ferguson as emcee.

No Boston Fourth of July festival would be complete without fireworks and lots of them. This year, Rozzi Fireworks of Ohio will do the honors with a dazzling 21-minute fireworks display, accompanied by the traditional Pops rendition of the 1812 overture.

July 4th fireworks at Charles River Esplanade  

The 2009 Boston Fourth of July Fireworks display is expected to be "the largest and most complex Boston Fourth of July pyrotechnic show yet," according to the Boston 4 Celebrations Foundation, the event organizers. The pyrotechnic display will feature more than 20,000 pounds of explosives, including "the largest shells to date: 10-inch diameter shells that will climb to 1,500 feet - roughly three times the height of the historic Custom House Tower," according to the Boston 4 Celebrations Foundation.

The Rozzi company will make about 30 percent of all the shells used for the Boston fireworks. 

"We are thrilled to be a part of the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular ", said John Rozzi, president of Rozzi Fireworks in a statement released to the press, "Blending the best in music with spectacular fireworks, this show and concert has been an inspiration to us and the entire American fireworks industry for many years."

Here's the schedule for what's happening on July 3rd and 4th in Boston

July 3   Boston Pops Rehearsal at the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade

• 4PM  Hatch Shell oval open for public
• 8:30 Pops rehearsal concert

July 4    Boston Pops concert with Neil Diamond, Craig Ferguson and Fireworks

• 9AM Oval opens

• 12 noon recorded music starts

•  8PM Local TV broadcast begins

•  8:30 PM Boston Pops Concert starts

• 10PM national TV broadcast begins

• 10:30 Fireworks begin

Tips for concert and fireworks viewing for Boston's July 4th celebration

This is Boston's free, premier public event for the July Fourth holiday and it will be packed with an estimated 500,000 people. To view the rehearsal concert only (no fireworks) get to the Esplande oval on July 3rd at 4PM for the 8:30  start time. July 3rd concert goers will not be allowed to stay over for the July 4th event

On July 4th, for a good seat on the grass of the Esplanade oval, get there as early as possible starting at 9AM.(No overnight camping is allowed however). Concert organizers are providing helpful details about the check in process on their website and it is a good idea to take a look before heading into the concert. 

Bring a large blanket or beach towel to sit on, a picnic lunch and/or dinner, sunscreen, hats, sweater or jacket (it may get chilly at night), water and anything else you might need for a long day and evening among a huge crowd. No alcoholic beverages are allowed, either on the Esplanade itself, on Memorial Drive in Cambridge or on the Charles River. Grills, hibachis and any use of fire are also prohibited.

Directions to Boston's July 4th celebration

Above all, do not take your car to the concert, as there will be no place to park. Take the "T" instead (Red Line to Charles Street). For more information about directions go to this page on the event website.

Alternatives for the Boston Fourth of July concert viewing

Alternatives for attending the concert at the Hatch Shell location are to go to the Cambridge side of the Charles River, which may be a little less crowded; hitch a ride on boat on the Charles River (though strict boating guidelines will be in effect), or stay in the comfort of your own home and watch it all on TV local (CBS Channel 4). 

Concert organizers say that about seven million television viewers around the country and across the world will also view the televised portion of the event. 

Community Boating on the Charles River --not too far from the Hatch Shell-is also offering a private party to enjoy the concert and fireworks, for a fee.

For more info: Visit the event website  

If you enjoyed this article, you may also like to read about Boston's Harborfest 2009, a five day event happening during the July 4th week/weekend.